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March for Science 2018: University of Stuttgart appeals to people to get involved

Rector Professor Wolfram Ressel will be speaking at the Stuttgart demonstration
[Picture: James Palik/marchforscience.de]

The March for Science is an international movement with the aim of defending the freedom of science. As was already the case last year, there will be demonstrations and other events taking place worldwide on 14th April 2018 in order to protest against each restriction of freedom to research and teach. This year too the University of Stuttgart will be supporting the March for Science and appealing to its scientists, employees and students to participate. The speakers at the Stuttgart demonstration at 3 pm in Schillerplatz will also include Professor Wolfram Ressel, Rector of the University of Stuttgart.

Professor Ressel emphasised: “The University of Stuttgart with its international orientation in research and teaching firmly opposes scientifically proven facts being denied, qualified or put on a par with so-called “alternative facts”, whenever, wherever and for whatever reason. Constructive dialogue prerequisites reliable information, otherwise it is not only science that is jeopardised, but society as a whole. We are therefore appealing to the members of our university to get involved in these worldwide demonstrations for the freedom of science. Scientific findings as the basis of public debate are not negotiable!“

The initiators of the “Marches for Science” taking place worldwide are appealing to people to demonstrate in favour of the value of research and science and against a generally increasing hostility towards science. Further demands are “the clear differentiation between assured knowledge and personal opinion” as well as scientific findings as the basic for public debate.

In Germany campaigns will be taking place in almost 20 cities. Speaking at the event in Stuttgart along with Professor Dr Wolfram Ressel (University of Stuttgart) will be Dr Anna Christmann (Ministry of Science), Professor Dr Stephan Dabbert (Rector of the University of Hohenheim), Sarah Graf (AStA-Chair of the University of Hohenheim), Dr Annette Ohme-Reinicke (Lecturer at the University of Stuttgart and Chair of AnStifter) as well as Rüdiger Vaas (Giordano-Bruno-Foundation). The presenter will be Christoph Houtman (Giordano-Bruno-Foundation Stuttgart/Mittlerer Neckar).